Wednesday, February 15, 2017

State of calamity declared in Surigao del Norte after 6.7 magnitude earthquake

THE province of Surigao del Norte was placed under a state of
calamity, following a 6.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the region
over the weekend.
The resolution, dated Monday, February 13, was signed by Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr.
Under the declaration, the governor is allowed to disburse funds from
the 5 percent reserved calamity fund, including the 30 percent Quick
Response Fund for relief operations and rehabilitation.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs)
said the quake hit Mindanao at 10:03 pm on Friday, February 10, with its
epicenter, located 14 kilometers northwest of Surigao City.
Several aftershocks were recorded after the earthquake but the
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on its website that there is no
tsunami threat caused by the tremor.
Disaster officials have confirmed eight deaths and at least 200 people injured during the quake.
“This was the first time Surigao had suffered a quake this strong.
The previous one occurred in the 1800s,” Communications Secretary Martin
Andanar, who is also a native of the region, said.
The government initially estimated about a total of P687 million
worth of damage to houses and infrastructures caused by the tremor,
including the Surigao City Airport, which will be closed for one month
for repairs.
On Sunday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visited Surigao del
Norte to inspect the damage caused by the earthquake and the
authorities’ response effort.
During his speech before the residents, Duterte vowed to extend financial assistance to victims of the tremor.
“I will release money for you, so prioritize those who lost their
lives and source of living,” Duterte said in Visayan, as quoted by CNN.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, relief goods were delivered to Surigao on Sunday.
“Distribution was initially hampered by an inadequate distribution
system. The victims were already expecting the relief goods as early as
5 a.m., but the local government made a judgment call to wait for the
President who arrived by 1 p.m.,” Abella said in a statement.
The New People’s Army (NPA) also reportedly declared a “localized ceasefire” to pave the way for relief operations.